20 Low-Carb Substitutes That Don't Suck

What do mac and cheese, stacks of pancakes, and bowls of pasta all have in common? If you answered, "Umm, they're delicious," you'd be right. But they're also heavy in carbs and can leave you feeling tired and annoyed. And while a diet rich in healthy carbohydrates is good for us in moderation, after a long, cold winter, you might be itching to try something fresh for spring. Don't worry, we've got you covered. We've gathered some of the most notorious carb-heavy foods and found a delicious, low-carb alternative to satisfy any craving.

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1. Instead Of Tacos, Try Cilantro-Lime Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps While you can turn almost any sandwich into a lettuce wrap, we love that this recipe replaces taco shells with crunchy iceberg lettuce filled with juicy turkey, a delicious homemade salsa, and all your favorite taco fixings. To make it even more nutritious, swap the iceberg out for spinach leaves.

2. Instead Of Regular Hamburgers on Buns, Try Turkey Cacciatore Burgers on Portabello Mushroom "Buns" A classy twist on the average turkey burger, this nutritious recipe comes together quickly—the mushrooms roast in the oven for 12 minutes while the turkey cooks on the stovetop—looks complicated (read: serve when you have friends coming over), and tastes delicious. Packed with protein, thanks to turkey, plenty of potassium courtesy of the mushrooms, and crazy tasty. What more do you need?

3. Instead of Bruschetta Toast, Try Roasted Eggplant "Bread" With Tomatoes and Mint This elegant spin on bruschetta is healthier than the Italian classic—but just as tasty. While the eggplant roasts in the oven, mix the remaining handful of ingredients (onions, tomatoes, capers). Then scoop the mixture onto the eggplant, and you're done!

4. Instead of French Fries, Try Baked Butternut Squash Fries When you need a crunchy fry, these crispy squash spears fit the bill. Technically a fruit, butternut squash is full of nutrients like potassium and carotenoids, which help protect your heart. To whip up this recipe more quickly, don't bother peeling the squash. The fries will still be delicious.

5. Instead of Lasagna Noodles, Try Zucchini Lasagna You won't miss the noodles in this meaty, cheesy lasagna that's packed with fresh zucchini. You only need two or three thinly sliced zucchinis to replace normal lasagna noodles. Give it a whirl in the summer when green squash is in season.

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6. Instead of Mac and Cheese, Try Mac-and-Cheese-Style Cauliflower This creamy, cheesy alternative to typical mac and cheese is almost better than the classic elbow pasta version. Boil cauliflower, whisk up a cheese sauce, and throw it all in the oven. For a fancier twist, use your favorite non-cheddar cheeses or a combo. Mozzarella and pepper jack, anyone?

7. Instead of Mashed Potatoes, Try Mashed Cauliflower With Garlic and Chives Move over, cream- and butter-laden mashed potatoes—there's a new side dish in town. Cauliflower takes on the consistency of potatoes when you chop up in a food processor or blender. (You can also use a potato masher to get chunkier "potato" pieces and work on your upper arm strength!). The garlic and chives add an extra dimension of flavor.

8. Instead of Pancakes, Try Almond Flour Pancakes Using almond flour instead of wheat flour cuts back on carbs without sacrificing taste. Use a blender to whip up the batter quickly, add berries for some color and a fruity zing, and freeze an extra batch to keep on hand for a busy morning.

9. Instead of Pizza Crust, Try Cauliflower Crust Is there anything cauliflower can't disguise itself as? Don't be put off by making your own "dough." This version takes less time to make than traditional dough, and the taste makes your efforts worthwhile. Top with roasted veggies and goat cheese (they go particularly well with the crust) or stick with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

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